Trending News: Here's Where People Lose Their Virginity The Earliest (And Latest)

Long Story Short

A study of 44 countries lists the average age when people lose their virginity and the U.S. is somewhere in the middle.

Long Story

The age at which someone has sex for the first time is determined by a number of factors. Primarily, it's when a person is "ready." But there's also cultural norms, laws (age of consent) and peer pressure that can lead someone to lose their virginity at a certain age.

In the United States, the average age people lose their virginity shouldn't be too surprising — it's exactly when they're legally allowed to in many states. Americans on average have sex at 18-years-old, according to a study of 44 countries performed by condom brand Durex.

But Americans are far from the earliest — or the latest — to have sex for the first time. The U.S. sits in 24th place out of 44 countries, near to culturally similar countries like Canada (18.1) and Australia (17.9).

So if 18 is around the middle of the pack, where do they have their (probably awkward) first times the earliest?

Young people in the tiny nation of Iceland lose their virginity the quickest at 15.6-years-old, while fellow Nordic countries Denmark (16.1), Sweden (16.2), Norway (16.5) and Finland (16.5) round out the quickest 5. The reason for such early sexual experiences might have something to do with a low age of consent (Iceland's is just 15) or because it's chilly up there and thus they're more inclined to find a cuddle buddy sooner rather than later.

On the other side of the spectrum, Asian countries appear to be keen on taking their time with their virginity. Malaysians are the most patient, with the average age being 23-years-old. India (22.9), Singapore (22.8), China (22.1), Thailand (20.5) and Hong Kong (20.2) follow close behind.

To see the full list on a map, Chartsbin.com has done one up. But if you just want to see the list, here it is (via Daily Star).